Printing with custom colorant materials

ABSTRACT

A method for printing with a custom colorant material stored in a container having a memory storage element is disclosed. The memory storage element includes information related to the custom colorant material. In the method, the information is received from the memory storage element. A custom color table is implemented, and the custom color table is employed during printing of the custom colorant material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/175,878, filed Jun. 21, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,890 which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to printing devices. Morespecifically, the present disclosure pertains to techniques of printingwith one or more cartridges containing custom colorant material.

Conventional printing devices, e.g., inkjet and laser printers,photocopiers, facsimile machines, etc., typically implement a best-fitfour color printing process in which cyan, magenta, yellow and blackcolored recording materials, e.g., ink, toner, etc., are combined in anattempt to obtain a desired color. It has been found that the best-fitfour color printing process, while suitable for a great number ofprinting applications, may be unable to produce certain colors withsuitable accuracy.

As an example, when an entity, e.g., person, business, corporation,etc., possesses a logo that includes a color that the best-fit colormatching process is unable to match in a substantially adequate manner,the only option may be for the entity to rely on an outside printingvendor to print the logo in the desired color.

Reliance upon an outside printing vendor to print the logo on variousmedia, e.g., letterhead, business cards, etc., may result in certaindrawbacks and disadvantages. In one respect, the entity may need toorder substantially large quantities of the various media to ensure thatan adequate supply is readily available. One result of maintainingsubstantially large quantities of the various media is that largeportions of the supply may be discarded, for example, if the letterheadchanges, if an employee leaves the company, etc. In addition, the costsinvolved in purchasing the various media from a printing vendor may berelatively high.

It is generally known to include e-labels on cartridges, e.g., inkjet,toner, etc. E-labels may generally be defined as a memory storageelement, e.g., EEPROM, PROM, radio frequency identification tags, etc.,and may contain information related to the identity of the ink containedin the cartridge, e.g., ink type, color, date of manufacture, and thelike. The information may be retrieved by, for example, a printingdevice controller.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to amethod for printing with a custom colorant material stored in acontainer having a memory storage element. The memory storage elementincludes information related to the custom colorant material. In themethod, the information is received from the memory storage element. Acustom color table is implemented, and the custom color table isemployed during printing of the custom colorant material.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present disclosure pertainsto a system for printing with custom printing colorant. The systemincludes a container including the custom colorant material and a memorystorage element containing information related to the custom colorantmaterial. The system also includes a controller operable to receive theinformation related to the custom colorant material. In addition, thecontroller is operable to employ a custom color table in response to thereceived information.

According to yet another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to acomputer readable storage medium on which is embedded one or morecomputer programs. The one or more computer programs implement a methodfor printing with a custom colorant material stored in a containerhaving a memory storage element. The memory storage element includesinformation related to the custom colorant material. The one or morecomputer programs include a set of instructions for retrieving saidinformation from said memory storage element; implementing a customcolor table; and employing said custom color table during printing ofsaid custom colorant material.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the present disclosure relatesto a device for printing with custom colorant material. The deviceincludes means for supporting a custom colorant material; means forstoring information associated with the custom colorant material; meansfor retrieving said information associated with the custom colorantmaterial; and means for employing a custom color table associated withthe information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description with referenceto the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an embodiment of aprinting device; and

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of an embodiment of themethod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the presentdisclosure are described by referring mainly to exemplary embodimentsthereof. In the following description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. It will be apparent however, to one of ordinary skillin the art, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practicedwithout limitation to these specific details. In other instances, wellknown methods and structure have not been described in detail so as notto unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a printing device,e.g., laser printer, inkjet printer, plotter, photocopier, facsimilemachine, etc., may be configured to accept and implement cartridgescontaining custom colorant materials. The terms “custom color”, as usedthroughout the present disclosure, may generally refer to colors thatdiffer from the standard cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black(K) often implemented in conventional printing devices. For example, acustom color may include “HP”—blue, “XEROX”—red, “PACKERS”—green, etc.

The printing device may be configured to automatically retrieveinformation pertaining to the custom colorant material upon detection ofthe custom color cartridge. In addition, the printing device may also beconfigured to automatically regenerate and/or retrieve a custom colortable to be implemented in response to the received informationpertaining to the custom colorant material. In this respect, forexample, a user need not manually input the information related to thecustom colorant material. Instead, the printing device may automaticallymake adjustments to the printing scheme to accommodate for changes inthe recording materials to be applied onto a print medium, e.g., colorof ink/toner, type of material, etc.

In FIG. 1, there is illustrated an exemplary block diagram of a printingdevice 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.As will become better understood from a reading of present disclosure,the following description of the block diagram illustrates one manner inwhich the printing device 100 may be operated in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. In this respect, it is to beunderstood that the following description of FIG. 1 is but one manner ofa variety of different manners in which such a printing device 100 maybe operated.

Generally speaking, the printing device 100 includes a plurality ofcartridges 102-108 and a custom cartridge 110. The cartridges 102-108(C₁-C₄) generally refer to cartridges containing recording materialhaving CMYK colors. The custom cartridge 110 (C_(i)) generally refers toa cartridge containing a non-CMYK colorant material. Non-CMYK colorantmaterial may be defined as stated above and may also be defined as arecording material that has a non-standard color, e.g., those coloredmaterials that are not relatively mass-produced. For example, non-CMYKcolorant materials may thus include those recording materials havingcolors that may be intended for individual uses, e.g., the blue coloremployed in HEWLETT PACKARD's logo. In addition, non-CMYK colorantmaterials may also include non-visible colorants such as those that maybe implemented for purposes of authentication or security. Non-visiblecolorants may include colorants that may be visible through use ofspecial lights or viewing devices, e.g., infrared (IR), ultra-violet(UV), and the like colorants.

Each of the cartridges 102-110 (C₁-C₄, C_(i)) contains a respectivee-label 112-120. As described above, each e-label may generally bedefined as a memory storage element, e.g., EEPROM, PROM, etc., and maycontain information related to the identity of the ink contained in therespective cartridges 102-110 (C₁-C₄, C_(i)), e.g., ink type, color,date of manufacture, and the like.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the printing device 100 as including fourCMYK cartridges 102-108 (C₁-C₄) and one custom cartridge 110 (C_(i)),the printing device 100 may include any reasonably suitable number ofcartridges and custom cartridges without deviating from the scope andspirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the illustration anddescription of the cartridges 102-110 are for purposes of simplicity andare not meant as limitations.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the printingdevice 100 may include a printing location (not shown) over which thecartridges 102-110 (C₁-C₄, C_(i)) are supported. As an example, in alaser printer, the cartridges 102-110 (C₁-C₄, C_(i)) may be maintainedin a substantially static location. In this embodiment, the printinglocation may include an extra location designed to receive the customcartridge 110 (C_(i)). As another example, in an ink jet printer, thecartridges 102-110 (C₁-C₄, C_(i)) may be supported on a movable carriage(not shown). In this embodiment, the carriage may include an extra slotdesigned to receive the custom cartridge 110 (C_(i)). In accordance witheither embodiment, the extra location designed to receive the customcartridge 110 (C_(i)) may be fabricated according to any reasonablysuitable manner generally known to those skilled in the art to createsuch an extra location.

Alternatively, one or more of the locations designed to receive the CMYKcartridges 102-108 (C₁-C₄) may be used to receive the custom cartridge110 (C_(i)), i.e., one or more of the CMYK cartridges may be replacedwith one or more custom cartridges.

The printing device 100 may include interface electronics 125. Theinterface electronics 125 may be configured to provide an interfacebetween a printing device controller 130 and the components foroperating the cartridges 102-110 (C₁-C₄, C_(i)), e.g., tonerapplication, a carriage (e.g., in an inkjet printer), belt and pulleysystem (not shown), etc. The interface electronics 125 may include, forexample, circuits for moving the movable carriage (e.g., ink jetprinter), moving the medium, and the like. The interface electronics 125may also include, for example, a device for conveying informationrelated to the recording material contained in each of the cartridges102-110 (C₁-C₄, C_(i)) to the controller 130. The information containedin each of the e-labels 112-120 may be read by the printing devicecontroller 130 upon start-up or servicing of the consumables. Forexample, in the data contained in the e-labels 112-120, there may be acustom bit that indicates that the consumable being queried is a customcolorant. If the bit is set, then further information can be read fromthe memory of each e-label 112-120 indicating the nature of the customcolorant (e.g., spectral values, pantone numbers, a custom color numberspecific to the user, etc.)

The controller 130 may be configured to provide control logic for theprinting device 100, which provides the functionality for the printingdevice 100. In one form, the controller 130 may be implemented by themicroprocessor as mentioned above. In various other forms, amicrocontroller, an application specific integrated circuit, and thelike, may be implemented by the controller 130.

The controller 130 may be interfaced with a memory 140 configured toprovide storage of a computer software that provides the functionalityof the printing device 100 and may be executed by the controller 130.The memory 140 may also be configured to provide a temporary storagearea for data/file received by the printing device 100 from, forexample, a host device 150, e.g., a computer, laptop computer, scanningapparatus (e.g., photocopier, facsimile machine, etc.), personal digitalassistant (PDA), and the like, a network 160 (e.g., Internet,communication network, and the like), etc. The memory 140 may beimplemented as a volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, or a combinationthereof, such as dynamic random access memory (“RAM”), EEPROM, flashmemory, and the like.

The host device 150 may include any number of peripheral devices, e.g.,modem, sound card, video card, etc. In addition, the host device 150 mayinclude a wireless communication device (not shown) that enableswireless communication.

The controller 130 may further be interfaced with an interface 170configured to provide a communication channel between the host device150 and/or the network 160 and the printing device 100. The interface170 may conform to protocols such as RS-232, parallel, small computersystem interface, universal serial bus, etc.

The printing device 100 may be physically attached to the host device150 and/or the network 160 via a communication line (not shown).Alternatively, the printing device 100 may be wirelessly coupled to thehost 150 and/or the network 160. More specifically, the printing device100 may include a wireless communication device (not shown) that enablescommunication with the wireless communication device disposed in thehost device 150 and/or the network 160. In addition, the host device 150and/or the network 160 and the printing device 100 may communicate usinga wireless communication protocol such as BLUETOOTH.

The printing device 100 may include any number of components notspecifically illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the printing device 100may contain a graphical user interface, control panel, service station,etc.

The controller 130 may be configured to execute a set of softwareprograms stored in the memory 140. These programs include, for example,referencing color tables 145 during conversion of images displayed on ascreen (e.g., from the host device 150) into commands the controller 130may implement to print the selected image onto a recording medium, e.g.,PCL, PDF, PostScript, etc. The various manners by which a controller 130may implement color tables 145 stored in the memory 140 to convertcolors from red, green and blue (e.g., the colors displayed on acomputer monitor) to the printed colors CMYK are generally well known.For example, a look up table configured to output C,M,Y,K values for agiven R,G,B triplet.

In one form, the controller 130 may further be configured to execute aset of software programs designed to regenerate the color tables 145.The controller 130 may employ the information received from the e-label120 of the custom cartridge 110 (C_(i)) to regenerate the color tables145. By way of example, the e-label 120 (C_(i)), may contain informationpertaining to the properties of toner contained in the custom cartridge110 (C_(i)). In this example, the controller 130 may dynamically adjustthe half tones of the recording material to increase the range ofhalf-tones available for printing. For instance, the spectral curves ofthe colorants used may be implemented to regenerate the color tablesusing color science pertaining to color mixing.

In another form, the controller 130 may access a web address thatcontains color tables via the network 160, or other remote storage site(e.g., Internet). By way of example, the e-label, e.g., 120, may have anInternet address stored therein configured to direct the controller todownload the color tables from a remotely located host. Once this datais downloaded it may be stored in a non-volatile memory of thecontroller 130. In this respect, the amount of memory on the e-labels112-120 may be relatively decreased by omitting the requirement that thecolor tables be stored on the e-labels 112-120.

In yet another form, the e-label may store information pertainingspecifically to the specific custom cartridge 110 (C_(i)). In thisrespect, a unique identifier for the custom colorant material in thecustom cartridge 110 (C_(i)) may be employed such that the printingdevice 100 only operates the custom cartridge (C_(i)) in those instanceswhere the unique identifier is activated.

The information contained in the e-label 120 of the custom cartridge 110(C_(i)) may automatically be retrieved by the controller 130 when thecustom cartridge 110 (C_(i)) is received for use by the printing device100. The information retrieved by the controller 130 may be related tothe identity of the ink contained in the custom cartridge 110 (C_(i)),e.g., ink type, color, date of manufacture, spectral values, pantonenumbers, a custom color number specific to the user, and the like.

In addition, information retrieved from the remaining e-labels, e.g.,e-labels 102-108, may also be employed for the regeneration of the colortables 145.

The software programs may be implemented to enable communication betweenthe printing device 100 and the host device 150 and/or the network 160.The software programs may further enable the printing of documentssupplied to the printing device 100 by the host device 150 stored in thememory 140.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an exemplary flow diagram of amethod 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The steps illustrated in the method 200 may be contained asa utility, program, subprogram, in any desired computer accessiblemedium. In addition, the method 200 may be embodied by a computerprogram, which can exist in a variety of forms, both active andinactive. For example, the method 200 may exist as software program(s)comprised of program instructions in source code, object code,executable code or other formats. Any of the above can be embodied on acomputer readable medium, which includes storage devices and signals, incompressed or uncompressed form.

Exemplary computer readable storage devices include conventionalcomputer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory),EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable,programmable ROM), and magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Exemplarycomputer readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not, aresignals that a computer system hosting or running the computer programcan be configured to access, including signals downloaded through theInternet or other networks. Concrete examples of the foregoing includedistribution of the programs on a CD ROM or via Internet download. In asense, the Internet itself, as an abstract entity, is a computerreadable medium. The same is true of computer networks in general.Although particular reference is made in the following descriptions ofFIG. 2 to the controller 130 as performing certain printing devicefunctions, it is to be understood that those functions may be performedby any electronic device capable of executing the above-describedfunctions.

Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the printing device 100 may receive a customcartridge 110 having an e-label 120 (step 205). As stated above, thecustom cartridge 110 may replace one of the existing cartridges or maybe received in an extra slot configured to receive the custom cartridge.

The controller 130 may automatically detect the custom cartridge andaccess the e-label (step 210), e.g., in a manner similar to known plugand play systems. For instance, the e-labels 112-120 may be read atpower-up and after any change is made to the consumables (e.g.,printheads, ink supplies, etc.). As described above, the e-label 120 mayinclude information pertaining to the recording material contained inthe custom cartridge. The information may include, for example, therecording material color, recording material type, and the like. Inaddition, the information may also pertain to the color table employablefor the recording material contained in the custom cartridge.

The printing device 100 may receive a file to print an image, e.g.,text, figure, lines, etc. (step 215). The image file may be receivedfrom one or more of the host devices 150 described hereinabove.

The controller 130 may then convert the image file to a print file (step220), e.g., rasterize the image file. The image file may be convertedinto a print file through any reasonably suitable manner known to thoseskilled in the art, e.g., PCL, PDP, PostScript, etc. A result of theconversion is that the controller 130 may determine the manner in whichthe image contained in the image file is to be applied on a recordingmedium, e.g., paper, fabric, textile, etc. As an example, based upon theconverted file, the controller 130 may control the application ofvariously colored recording materials onto the recording medium togenerally reproduce the image contained in the image file on therecording medium.

At step 225, the controller 130 may determine whether the printed imagerequires the application of recording materials having colors other thanCMYK. In one form, the controller 130 may determine whether the customcartridge 110 contains a recording material having a color that matchesone or more of the colors of the image to be printed. That is, thecontroller 130 may determine whether the recording material contained inthe custom cartridge 110 is suitable for use in the printed image.

If it is determined that the printed image does not require the use ofthe custom cartridge 110, the controller 130 may employ a standard colortable 145 stored, for example, in the memory 140 of the printing device100 (step 230).

Alternatively, the controller 130 may employ a custom color tablesuitable for use with the custom recording material (step 245). In oneform, the custom color table may be formed from a regeneration of thecolor table 145 stored in memory 140 (step 245). In another form, thecustom color table may be downloaded from the network 160, e.g., theInternet (step 240). Both of the above forms have been describedhereinabove.

What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodimentwith some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures usedherein are set forth by way of illustration, and are not meant aslimitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that manyvariations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention,which is intended to be defined by the following claims—and theirequivalents—in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonablesense unless otherwise indicated.

1. A method for printing with a custom colorant material stored in acontainer having a memory storage element, said memory storage elementincluding information related to said custom colorant material, saidmethod comprising: retrieving said information from said memory storageelement; implementing a custom color table including colors withspectral characteristics other than spectral characteristics oforiginally implemented printing device colors in response to saidinformation retrieved from said memory storage element; and employingsaid custom color table during printing of said custom colorantmaterial; wherein images printed with the custom colorant materialaccording to the custom color table include at least one custom colorwith spectral characteristics other than the spectral characteristics ofthe originally implemented printing device colors.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said information retrieving step comprisesautomatically retrieving said information in response to detection ofsaid container.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said informationretrieving step comprises retrieving information related to the color ofsaid custom colorant material.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein saidcustom color table implementing step comprises modifying a standardcolor table to be suitable during said printing of said custom colorantmaterial.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said custom color tableimplementing step further comprises regenerating said standard colortable to form said custom color table.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinsaid custom color table implementing step comprises retrieving saidcustom color table from a remote storage site.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving a file to print; and converting said fileinto a format suitable for printing.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising employing a standard color table in response to said customcolorant material being printed as a color that is substantially similarto one of cyan, magenta, yellow, or black.
 9. The method of claim 1wherein said custom colorant material includes at least one of aninfrared colorant or an ultra-violet colorant, and wherein said customcolorant material is configured to provide at least one ofauthentication or security.
 10. A system for printing with customcolorant material, said system comprising: a container including saidcustom colorant material and a memory storage element containinginformation related to said custom colorant material; and a controlleroperable to receive said information related to said custom colorantmaterial; wherein said controller is operable to employ a custom colortable including colors with spectral characteristics other than spectralcharacteristics of originally implemented printing device colors inresponse to said received information; wherein images printed with thecustom colorant material according to the custom color table include atleast one custom color with spectral characteristics other than thespectral characteristics of originally implemented printing devicecolors.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said custom colorantmaterial container is configured to be placed at a cartridge-receivinglocation configured to replaceably receive either said custom colorantmaterial container or a cartridge containing a standard colorantmaterial.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein said container isconfigured to be placed at a cartridge-receiving location separate froma cartridge-receiving location configured to receive a cartridgecontaining a standard colorant material.
 13. The system of claim 10,wherein said controller is operable to regenerate a color table basedupon the color of said custom colorant material to form said customcolor table.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein said controller isoperable to retrieve said custom color table from a remote storage site.15. The system of claim 10, wherein said controller is operable toautomatically retrieve said information from said memory storage elementupon detection of said container including said custom colorantmaterial.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller isoperable to automatically employ said custom color table upon retrievalof said information from said memory storage element.
 17. The system ofclaim 10 wherein said custom colorant material includes at least one ofan infrared colorant or an ultra-violet colorant, and wherein saidcustom colorant material is configured to provide at least one ofauthentication or security.
 18. A computer readable storage medium onwhich is embedded one or more computer programs, said one or morecomputer programs implementing a method for printing with a customcolorant material stored in a container having a memory storage element,said memory storage element including information related to said customcolorant material, said one or more computer programs comprising a setof instructions for: retrieving said information from said memorystorage element; implementing a custom color table including colors withspectral characteristics other than spectral characteristics oforiginally implemented printing device colors in response to saidinformation retrieved from said memory storage element; and employingsaid custom color table during printing of said custom colorantmaterial; wherein images printed with the custom colorant materialaccording to the custom color table include at least one custom colorwith spectral characteristics other than the spectral characteristics ofthe originally implemented printing device colors.
 19. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 18, said one or more computer programsfurther comprising a set of instructions for automatically retrievingsaid information in response to detection of said container beinginserted into a printing device.
 20. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 18, said one or more computer programs furthercomprising a set of instructions for modifying a standard color table tobe suitable during said printing of said custom colorant material. 21.The computer readable storage medium of claim 20, said one or morecomputer programs further comprising a set of instructions forregenerating said standard color table to form said custom color table.22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 20, said one or morecomputer programs further comprising a set of instructions forretrieving said custom color table from a remote storage site.
 23. Adevice for printing with custom colorant material, said devicecomprising: means for storing information associated with said customcolorant material; means, containing the storing means, for supportingsaid custom colorant material; means for retrieving said informationassociated with said custom colorant material; means for implementing acustom color table including colors with spectral characteristics otherthan spectral characteristics of originally implemented printing devicecolors in response to the information retrieved from the storing means;and means for employing the custom color table during printing of saidcustom colorant material; wherein images printed with the customcolorant material according to the custom color table include at leastone custom color with spectral characteristics other than the spectralcharacterics of the originally implemented printing device colors. 24.The device according to claim 23, further comprising means for modifyingsaid custom color table from a standard color table.
 25. The deviceaccording to claim 23, further comprising means for modifying said meansfor applying said custom colorant material.
 26. The device of claim 23wherein said custom colorant material includes at least one of aninfrared colorant or an ultra-violet colorant, and wherein said customcolorant material is configured to provide at least one ofauthentication or security.